On the recordMarch 6, 2012
as February came to a close, it left behind an unfortunate new record, $3.73 per gallon, the national average, for unleaded gasoline, the highest ever recorded during this month. Prior to this morning's drop of three-tenths of a cent, gas prices had been on the rise for 27 straight days. In just 3 years, gas prices have doubled, and they are not stopping there. Back home in Arkansas, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is up over 25 cents from a month ago. Many analysts are predicting we will hit $4 a gallon by summer. Think about what that does to the economy. For our small business owners and farmers, it means much higher overhead. Those costs ultimately get passed on to the consumers. In very dire cases, which many of our small businesses are facing today due to reduced profit margins, threats of higher taxes and increased regulations, high gas prices could be the final straw. It puts extra pressure on budgets of already cash-strapped local governments. Just the other day I was reading a story from the Booneville Democrat that documented the negative effects the price of gas has on Logan County, AR. The county judge, Gus Young, noted if gas prices reach $4, it is ``going to take away from the other things that need to be done.'' In Blytheville, AR, which is a 300-mile trek from Booneville, those same concerns are being voiced.…
